Association Between Air Quality Index (AQI) Variability and Hospital Admissions for Lung Diseases: A Longitudinal Study

Association Between Air Quality Index (AQI) Variability and Hospital Admissions for Lung Diseases: A Longitudinal Study | Authorea try { document.documentElement.classList.add('js'); } catch (e) { } var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'G-8VDV14Y67G']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); Skip to main content Preprints Collections Wiley Open Research IET Open Research Ecological Society of Japan All Collections About About Authorea FAQs Contact Us Quick Search anywhere Search for preprint articles, keywords, etc. Search Search ADVANCED SEARCH SCROLL This is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary. 3 June 2025 V1 Latest version Share on Association Between Air Quality Index (AQI) Variability and Hospital Admissions for Lung Diseases: A Longitudinal Study Authors : Md Toukir Ahmed 0009-0008-7144-0827 [email protected] and Md Rubel Hossain Authors Info & Affiliations https://doi.org/10.22541/au.174893958.84268167/v1 237 views 109 downloads Contents Abstract Supplementary Material Information & Authors Metrics & Citations View Options References Figures Tables Media Share Abstract not-yet-known not-yet-known not-yet-known unknown Background Severe air pollution in Dhaka,Bangladesh poses major risks to respiratory health. This study investigates the association between daily AQI fluctuations and hospital admissions for major lung diseases at DMCH from 2020–2024, spanning diverse weather patterns and public health events, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods We conducted a longitudinal ecological time-series study from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2024, assessing the link between air quality and respiratory admissions at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Daily data on asthma, COPD, bronchitis, and pneumonia admissions were analyzed alongside AQI and pollutant levels (PM2.5, PM10, NO2, SO2) from DoE and public networks. Meteorological data (temperature, humidity) were included. Time-series Poisson regression with distributed-lag models examined short-term and lagged effects, adjusting for seasonality, weather, weekdays, holidays, and flu/COVID-19 outbreaks. Results Over five years, 52,850 lung disease admissions were analyzed. Dhaka’s annual AQI remained ‘Unhealthy’ to ‘Very Unhealthy,’ with PM2.5 levels far exceeding WHO guidelines—ranging from 75–80 µg/m 3 (2020–2024). A 10-unit AQI rise correlated with a 3.8% daily increase in respiratory admissions; a 10 µg/m 3 PM2.5 rise led to a 5.2% increase. Effects peaked at lag days 1–3. COPD and pneumonia were most sensitive, with older adults and children most vulnerable. Winter had the worst pollution and highest admissions. COVID-19 lockdowns briefly reduced non-COVID admissions, which surged post-restrictions. Conclusion Consistently high PM2.5 levels in Dhaka are significantly linked to increased hospital admissions for lung diseases. Our findings reveal vulnerable populations and underscore a public health crisis. Stronger regulatory enforcement and targeted interventions are essential to reduce Dhaka’s air quality burden. Supplementary Material File (association between air quality index.docx) Download 565.73 KB Information & Authors Information Version history V1 Version 1 03 June 2025 Copyright This work is licensed under a Non Exclusive No Reuse License. Keywords air quality index lung diseases respiratory morbidity Authors Affiliations Md Toukir Ahmed 0009-0008-7144-0827 [email protected] Dhaka Medical College and Hospital View all articles by this author Md Rubel Hossain Dhaka Medical College and Hospital View all articles by this author Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 237 views 109 downloads .FvxKWukQNSOunydq8rnd { width: 100px; } Citations Download citation Md Toukir Ahmed, Md Rubel Hossain. Association Between Air Quality Index (AQI) Variability and Hospital Admissions for Lung Diseases: A Longitudinal Study. Authorea . 03 June 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.174893958.84268167/v1 If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download. For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu . 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